Finger moistener



ch 17 1935 H, HORLEY FINGER MOI STENER Filed June 9, 193a Patented Mar. 17, 1936 STATES PATENT OFFICE This invention is an improved finger moistener for use in ofiices, banks, cigar factories and like places, and its objects are to provide a device of this class that is very simple of construction and relatively inexpensive of production yet highly elficient; is convenient of use; is preferably made of non-corrosive materials so that, besides being permanently attractive of appearance because of the nature and surface finish of its materials, is capable of being readily cleaned and sterilized and thus kept sanitary, its unique design permitting of quick and easy assembly and disassembly of its parts, while insuring proper relation thereof when assembled and in use.

Further objects and advantages will appear as I proceed to describe the invention in detail by reference to the accompanying drawing wherein Fig. 1 is a plan view of my improved finger moistener, and Fig. 2 is a vertical section through the same on the line 2--2 of Fig. 1.

The device comprises two units, a receptacle A that is desirably formed of porcelain, and a ball B, preferably of glass. The receptacle A is shown as circular in plan and it has a relatively wide base a from the periphery of which a comparatively shallow wall a converges upwardly and merges into a retaining rim a surrounding the mouth of the receptacle. On the interior of the receptacle at the base of the retaining rim is a ball seat or support a the same preferably consisting of a circumferential flange having its inner surface conforming to the contour of the ball B. The seat, formed with a plurality of drain notches a is at an elevation that will sustain the ball with its lower portion dipping into a liquid that is contained within the receptacle A and with its center desirably spaced below the top plane of the retaining rim so as to prevent the ball from being readily displaced.

In the use of the device, the ball B may be rotated so as to carry liquid from within the receptacle to the top portion of the ball from which it may be transferred in the usual manner to the fingers of the user and any surplus liquid will flow down about the ball and drain through the notches a into the receptacle, the retaining rim a being spaced far enough from the surface of the ball to permit of this action. It is desirable, however, that the ball fit closely enough within the retaining rim to retard evaporation of the liquid that is in the receptacle.

It is clear from the foregoing that, in the use of the device, the ball may be turned freely without liability of its being accidentally dislodged from within the retaining rim of the receptacle; and that the parts may be readily separated for cleaning and filling purposes.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. A finger moistener comprising a receptacle having a mouth surrounded by a retaining rim and incorporating an annular ball supporting flange that extends about the interior of the receptacle below said rim, said flange being provided with drain openings, and a ball sustained by the flange within the confines of the rim.

2. A finger moistener comprising a receptacle having a mouth surrounded by a retaining rim and incorporating an annular ball supporting flange that extends about the interior of the receptacle below said rim, the ball contacting surface of the flange being notched, and a ball sustained by the flange within the confines of the rim.

3. A finger moistener comprising a receptacle having a relatively wide base and a comparatively shallow wall converging upwardly from the periphery of the base and terminating in an annular retaining rim that surrounds the mouth of the receptacle, said receptacle being provided with a circumferential flange that projects inwardly from its wall below the retaining rim, and a ball sustained by said flange within the confines of the rim, the ball engaging surface of the flange having a contour complementary to that of the ball and being notched to provide drainage for the ball.

4. A finger moistener comprising a bottom portion having a relatively wide base and a comparatively thin wall converging upwardly from the periphery of said base and terminating in an annular integral retaining rim that surrounds the opening of the receptacle, said receptacle being provided with a circumferential flange that projects inwardly from its wall below said annular retaining rim, and a ball entirely sustained by said flange within the confines of said rim, the ball engaging surface of the flange having a contour complementary to that of the ball and being notched to provide drainage for the ball.

5. A finger moistener comprising a receptacle having a mouth surrounded by a retaining rim and incorporating ball supporting means that extend about the interior of the receptacle below said rim, said ball supporting means consisting of a substantially annular flange formed of two or more separate arcs separated from each other, and a ball sustained by said arcs.

6. A finger moistener comprising a receptacle having a mouth surrounded by a retaining rim and incorporating ball supporting means that extend about the interior of the receptacle below said rim, said ball supporting means consisting of a series of projections arranged in a circle parallel to said mouth below said rim, and a ball sustained by said arcs.

GEORGE H. HORLEY. 

